A household name, the Framingham Heart Study is the federal government's
effort since 1948 to study nearly 5,200 adult residents in Framingham, Mass.,
to learn more about cardiovascular disease. Less known but also one of the
largest and longest studies in the history of cardiac research, the Muscatine
Heart Study is a series of investigations led by University of Iowa Health
Care researchers since 1970. Over the years, the study has determined blood
pressure and cholesterol norms for school-aged children and provided links
between child and adult coronary health.

But these findings didn't just happen because of a dedicated research team.
Now in its 30th year, the study has involved nearly 20,000 individuals, most
of them school children. Many of the original participants are involved in
the study as adults in their 30s and 40s. The Muscatine School Board has endorsed
and assisted in the success of the study. The town of Muscatine, located along
the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa, was selected for its stable population
base, which has helped allow for follow-up studies.

In appreciation of the town's commitment, UI Health Care will host a celebration
for the townspeople from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Muscatine High
School, located on Highway 22 in Muscatine. The complete program is listed
below:

Interview opportunities: Media may interview UI Health Care researchers,
study participants and school board officials in a quiet setting (band room)
from 1:15 to 1:50 p.m. the day of the celebration. Interview subjects include
families with multi-generational participation and a UI physician from Muscatine
who has participated in the study since he was 7 years old. Telephone interviews
can also be arranged. Backgrounders on the study and on individual UI researchers'
projects within the study are available on request by calling Becky Soglin
at (319) 335-6660.

2-3 p.m. "Ask the Doctors" Town Meeting (auditorium) including
presentations by UI Health Care researchers on how the study's findings have
helped advance understanding of heart health. The meeting also will include
a question-and-answer session.

3:30 p.m. DOX Big Band (auditorium)

University of Iowa Health Care describes the partnership between
the UI College of Medicine and the UI Hospitals and Clinics and the patient
care, medical education and research programs and services they provide.